Series connected adjustable time delay switches with omitting mechanism



Feb. 15, 1966 .SHEI ERG 3,

SERIES CONNECTE DJUSTA L TIME DELAY SWITCHES WITH OMITTIN M Filed Dec. 27, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet l G MECHANIS Feb. 15, 1966 s. SHEINBERG 3,235,680

SERIES CONNECTED ADJUSTABLE TIME DELAY SWITCHES WITH OMITTING MECHANISM Flled Dec. 27, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 T n I w mm M E? A Feb. 15, 1966 s. SHEINBERG 3,235,630 SERIES CONNECTED ADJUSTABLE TIME DELAY SWITCHES WITH OMITTING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 27, 2

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 3,235, HES

S. SHEINBERG Feb. 15, 1966 SERIES CONNECTED ADJUSTABLE TIME DELAY SWITC WITH OMITTING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 27 1962 lllHll ll IHIHI I FIG. /0

CONTROLLED UNIT United States Patent M Filed Dec. 27, 1962, Ser. No. 247,585 Claims priority, application Canada, Apr. 7, 1962,

8 i 6 Claims. (Cl. 200-38) The present invention relates to time switch mechanisms of the type including timer driving mechanisms and designed to effect predetermined cyclic and periodic actuation of electrical circuits.

Prior to the present invention, water softeners have employed a variety of types of multiport valves cyclically to effect regeneration of spent softener material by control of flow connections therethrough. Many of such multiport valves embody a rotary port controlling member driven by a pressure responsive diaphragm, with fluid pressure periodically or cyclically applied to the latter in a predetermined manner as may be dictated by a solenoid pilot valve. The latter requires an operating electrical circuit to be closed and opened in a certain programmed pattern, which may be accomplished autornatically by suitable time switch mechanism.

In a multiport valve a plurality of positions of the rotary port controlling member successively are attained in the course of one complete 360 rotation thereof. Of these, one can be a service position, the next a backwash position, the next a brine regeneration and slow rinse position, and the next a rapid rinse position, and so forth. Each position of the cycle is attained by a corresponding rotation of the rotary distributor, and rotation to the next position is effected by each actuation of the solenoid pilot valve. As an example, a water softening system which may employ such a multiport valve includes a softener tank whose softener or ion exchange material must be regenerated periodically, such as once a week, with brine supplied from a brine tank and then rinsed, after which the multiport valve is reset to the service position for flow of hard water supply through the softener tank to the service line. The time switch mechanism of the present invention will effectively dictate and effect these cyclic operations automatically, for any time periods desired, as well as cyclical operation of multi-port valves or other valves in fluid systems, as for example, shifting a fluid stream from one reactor to another in a series in chemical industry.

The time switch mechanism of the invention includes a time interval actuator dial and a timer drive mechanism. It also includes a first or main circuit switch, usually in the open position, and means to actuate the latter and hold it in the operating position for an interval determined by the time actuator dial. A switch actuating means is so positioned on the dial as to actuate the switch at the predetermined times. Additional actuators on the dial are arranged to actuate a second or operating switch to control the valve or other operating means while the main circuit switch is closed, but not otherwise.

In one form described hereinafter, the dial is in the form of a single clock-driven dial. This dial carries at each of a plurality of arcuately-spaced positions one or more circuit switch actuators, and each actuator can be manually moved between or set individually in any desired position on the dial to actuate the circuit switch for the desired period of time. There are also associated with this dial a plurality of operating switch actuators, which control the positions of the multiport valve, for example, and which can be positioned at any point on the dial to determine the time interval for any operation. For

3,235,580 Patented Feb. 15, 1966 ICC example, the single dial may be subdivided into periods representing the days of a week and/ or the hours of each day,k and driven to make one complete revolution in a wee In another form, the function of the dial may be served by a dial surdivided into the twenty-four hours of a single day to be driven one complete revolution during each day. Means are driven with this hour dial which rotates step-by-step a day wheel having seven increments of a single revolution thereof each representing a single day. The hour dial may carry at one or more selected hour indicating positions means to dictate operation of mechanism controlling actuation of the main circuit switch with predetermined prolonged periods of actuation being effected.

The main circuit switch may be actuated directly by the rotary motion of the actuating means carried around by the dial, or indirectly by intervening checked driving mechanism in which energy is stored by dictation of such actuating means, with such mechanism being released in timed relation thereafter so that the stored energy will be utilized by the released mechanism to actuate the main circuit switch. The switch driving mechanism is then reset for a repeat operation. For example, in a structural form of such indirect operation of the main circuit switch, the rotation of the time interval dial and associated means cocks a spring-biased switch-driving member which is then held by a latch device. When the latch device is disengaged from the biased member by dictation of the means carried by the time interval dial, the biased driving member is permitted to manipulate an actuator of the switch. Structure driven with the time interval dial then recocks the member, again to bias it with the latch device again engaged therewith. If the time interval dial is of the twenty-four hour type, and a separate day wheel is associated therewith, the latter may be provided with means to lock the switch driving or manipulating member against further actuation when the latch device is disengaged therefrom, except on a prearranged or selected day of the week.

This time switch mechanism in its various forms also includes a second dial desirably concentric with the first which serves as a cycle control means, and is driven at a differential speed with the time interval dial. The second or operating switch is associated with this cycle control dial, and the latter carries in arcuately-spaced relation 21 set of operating switch actuators which are successively engaigeable of the operating switch, to actuate it during a predetermined increment of the period of actuation of the main switch. These two stitches are connected in series in a single electrical circuit, whereby the energizing circuit can be cyclically closed and opened, successively, at the operating switch by the operating switch actuators during the period of actuation of the main switch.

This time switch mechanism is of simple and relatively inexpensive construction, capable of being mass produced economically, and uses only a single timer drive mechanism. It is easily adjusted or set to effect circuit actuation at precise times and for accurate periods, and its use in many different types of apparatus may avoid the necessity of separated and remote timing devices.

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the time interval dial of an embodiment of the time switch mechanism of the present invention, with which is shown associated a fixed reference or time pointer;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section, with parts broken away, of the embodiment of the time switch mechanism of FIG. '1, the timer drive mechanism thereof being diagrammatically illustrated, and with parts arranged in distorted relative positions for the purpose of clarity;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the cycle control dial thereof, which, as shown in FIG. 2, is coaxially arranged with the time interval dial for simultaneous drive therewith, and shows the circuit switch associated with actuators carried by this second dial;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the time interval, cycle control and calendar dials of another embodiment of time switch mechanism of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view, in perspective, and with parts broken away, of the time switch mechanism in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a detailed longitudinal section of the actuating mechanism of the time switch of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a full longitudinal section of the same, taken along the lines 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a view, taken along the lines 8-8 of FIG. 7, of the underside of the time interval and cycle control dials of the same, and

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuit controlled thereby.

FIGURE 10 is a plan view of the time interval, cycle control and calendar dials, showing the interconnection of the pivoted pawl 86, the omitting pin 77, and the adjacent pins 71 of the week dial '70.

In the drawing, like numerals identify similar parts throughout.

As will be seen from FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, an embodiment of the time switch mechanism of the present invention, which is illustrated in the drawings by way of example, includes a seven day calendar dial 10 that carries at each of seven arcuately-spaced positions one of a set of switch actuators 11. Each actuator 11 is provided with a knurled knob 12 for grasp by the fingers, and an externallythreaded shank 13 threadably engaged in an internallythreaded hole extending through calendar dial disk 10. The threaded shank 13 of each switch actuator 11 carries on its inner end a switch actuating pin 14, which may be manually moved selectively by rotation of the knob 12 to an outer nonactuating position adjacent the back face of the dial 10 and to an inward switch-actuating position in a circular path of rotation intercepted by a switchactuating trigger 15. Any one of the seven actuators 11 can thus be screwed outwardly to its nonactuating position or inwardly to engage the switch trigger 15 by its switch actuating pin 14.

Preferably, the calendar dial 10 is provided with a circular plate or disk 16 coaxially arranged on the outer face thereof and secured thereto by a pair of screws 17 engaged through arcuate slots 18 into internally-threaded holes in the main calendar dial 10. The circular plate 16 is sectorially subdivided into seven sections, each identified with a separate day of the week, and each sector preferably is subdivided in an annular zone 19 into four sixhour sections which may successively represent the first six morning hours from midnight to 6 A.M.; the mornmg from 6 AM. to noon; the early afternoon hours from noon to 6 P.M.; and the night hours from 6 P.M. to midnight. Thus, upon loosening the screws 17 one can rotate the circular disk 16 upon the face of the calendar dial 10, to align any particular hour of a 24-hour period 01' any particular day radially with one of the switch actuators 11, so as to permit them to be rotated for common alignment with a reference point, such as may be dictated by a fixed time pointer 20 where the switch actuator trigger 15 is located.

As will be understood from FIG. 2 the calendar dial 10 and its adjustable hour disk 16 are rotatably supported about a transverse drive shaft 21. The timer drive mechanism for the dial 10 is composed of a motor 22 which rotates the shaft 23. Shaft 23 carries a pinion 24, which engages reduction gear 25 mounted together axially on fixed shaft 26 with a pinion 27, freely moving on shaft 26. Pinion 27 engages another reduction gear 28, co-

axially and loosely mounted about drive shaft 21. Gear 28 constitutes the driven member of an overrunning clutch of conventional structure. Driving member 29 of the overrunning clutch is fixed upon the drive shaft 21. Accordingly, when the shaft 26 is driven by the clock motor 22, pinion 27 drives the drive shaft 21 through the overrunning clutch 2829, and the reduction gearing 30, 31, 32 and 33 causes the calendar dial 10 to make one complete rotation in seven days, with the clock mechanism motor running at '2 rpm.

As Will be seen from FIG. 2, a first biased-open circuit switch 34 is provided, and has as its operator the trigger 15. Switch 34 may be in the form of a pair of resilient switch blades 35 arranged substantially parallel with their contact tips separated until the switch is closed. The operating mechanism of this switch includes a camming finger 36, preferably of insulating material, fixed upon a shaft 37, and which carries fixed thereto trigger 15 in the form of a lever having an edge for engagement by and drag thereover of the pin operating element 14 of any one of the actuator 11. Switch blades 35 have circuit-connecting terminals.

The drive shaft 21 has coaxially fixed thereto a cycle control dial in the form of a circular disk 38. This cycle control dial 38 carries a second set of switch actuators 39, preferably four in number when a cycle of one rotation of this dial is to consist of four successive closures of an electrical circuit, such as that of the solenoid pilot valve mentioned above, for dictating operation of a multiport valve in a water softener system.

As will be understood from FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the second set of switch actuators 39 preferably consists of a member which may be die cut from relatively thin sheet spring material, having a perforated enlargement or eye 41 at one end, an intermediate elongated arm 42 and a bent L-shaped end 43 carrying on one side of the latter an extending switch-actuating finger 44. Each switch actuator 39 also includes an L-shaped latch member 45 preferably formed of rigid metal. The latch member 45 has an upstanding arm 46 riveted to end 43. The other lateral arm 49 is arranged substantially parallel to the arm 40 and in spaced relation to receive therebetween with a snug fit the edge of the dial 38. The lateral arm 49 of the latch member 45 is also provided with a dimple to form a nib on the underside for engagement into any one of a series of openings 51 provided in a peripheral zone of the dial 38. The perforated enlargement 41 of each switch actuator 39 is loosely arranged about a flanged sleeve 52 carried by the drive shaft 21 behind the dial 38, for rotatable support thereof.

While all of the switch actuators 39 carried by the cycle control dial 38 may be adjustably supported on the latter, it is preferred that one of them be fixed thereon at a zero or reference point, such as the one indicated at 53 in FIG. 3. The other three switch actuators 39 will be adjustably supported by cycle control dial 38 for selective location at desired points along the periphery thereof. When adjustment of any one of the movable switch actuators 39 is desired, outward pressure is applied manually to the upstanding arm 46 of its latch member 45 to spring the end section 43 of the resilient arm 42 radially away from the dial. This lifts the lateral arm 49 of the latch member to raise its nib from out of one of the openings 51. This switch actuator 39 may be then rotated about the sleeve 52 on the drive shaft 21 to a selected position on the cycle control dial 38 where it may be securely latched by release of the latching member 45, permitting the nib of the latter to index into the opening 51 at the selected position.

Let it be assumed, as is illustrated in FIG. 3, that the four switch actuators 39 of the second set are arranged at quarter points. If the cycle control dial 38 is rotated one complete revolution during the predetermined pe riod of closure of the first switch 34, these second switch actuators can be caused successively to close and open a second or operating switch 55, also shown in FIG. 2, to complete a four operation cycle. The operating switch 55 also preferably is of the open circuit type, in which its contacts are biased to open positions, and it may be for this purpose a microswitch. The operating switch 55 preferably carries an elongated spring arm 57, which when it is depressed, will actuate the switch. The operating finger 44 of each switch actuator 39, is rotated in a path which is intercepted by the spring arm 57, so that as this finger passes, it slides along the arm 57 to actuate the switch.

For example, the switch operating spring arm 57 may be of such length that as one of the fingers 44 is slid therealong, the switch 55 will be held closed for a period of time equal to a certain increment of revolution of the cycle control dial 38, and it will then permit this switch to remain open until the next actuation. If the cycle control dial is so geared to the clock mechanism as to rotate once during a two-hour period, the operating switch 55 may thus be caused to be closed and held closed for, say, a fifteen-second period and then to open and remain open until the next actuation for, say, a fifteensecond period, with repetition thereof for example, four times during the two-hour period, when the four actuators 39 are arranged at the quarter points, as is proposed in FIG. 3. Adjustment of three of the actuators 39 relative to the fixed one at 53 permits adjustment of the open circuit period between successive actuations of the switch 55, and the period of each closure of the second switch can be adjusted by selection of a suitable length for the spring arm 57.

Each of the four closures of the switch 55 during a complete cycle of operation dictated by the cycle control dial 38 will be for a predetermined increment of the previously mentioned period of closure of the first circuit switch 34, as may be effected by any one of the switch operating pins 14 of actuators 11, and in order for this control to be effective, these two switches will be connected in series. For this purpose the pigtail terminal of the first circuit switch 34 will be connected to the pigtail terminal of the operating switch 55. An energizing circuit to be cyclically closed and opened successively in a predetermined pattern can thus include the two switches 34 and 55 in series by connecting the pigtail terminal of the first switch and the pigtail terminal of the operating switch into one side of the energizing circuit.

As an example, for the purpose of cyclically controlling a multiport valve in a water softener system by a pilot valve, one side of the control circuit can be connected to the pigtail terminal of the first circuit switch 34 and the pigtail terminal of the operating switch 55 can be connected to one terminal of the solenoid coil of a solenoid pilot valve. The other terminal of the latter can be connected to the other supply conductor.

Let it be assumed that this circuit is employed for control of the multiport valve in the water softener system described above, wherein the valve is to be maintained in the service position for a week, and then the ion exchange material is to be regenerated. If, for example, the regeneration is to occur during a two-hour period beginning at Saturday midnight, the system can be conditioned for regeneration operation at that time by turning in the switch actuator 11 at that location 63 on the dial (best seen in FIGURE 1), to position its switch actuating pin 14 for rotation or arcuate motion in a path in which-the switch trigger 15 is located, as is illustrated in FIG. 2. Then the calendar dial is rotated or set to align the actuator 11 at 63 opposite the fixed pointer 20.

This setting of the time switch mechanism is effected by a manual knob 64 fixed on the end of the drive shaft 21 beyond the face of the calendar dial 10 and its adjustable disk 16. Proper rotation of the common drive shaft 21 by manual knob 64 will cause clockwise rotation of the calendar dial 10 through the reduction gearing 30, 31, 32 and 33, without affecting the clock drive of pinion 27, by virtue of the location of the overrunning clutch 2829 between it and the common drive shaft. With the electrical motor of the clock mechanism rotating at 2 r.p.m., and with the reduction gearing interposed between it and the calendar dial 10 being so proportioned that the latter makes one complete revolution every seven days, movement of the switch operating pin 14 of the actuator 11 at 63 over the edge 35 of trigger 15 causes the first circuit switch 34 to be closed and held closed during, say, a twohour period. The drive pinion 27 and the overrunning clutch 28-29 will cause the drive shaft 21 and the cycle control dial 38 to rotate one complete revolution during this two-hour period. With closure of the operating switch 55 by the actuator 39 at the position 53 in FIG. 3, the solenoid pilot valve will be energized at the beginning of this two-hour period so as to rotate the rotary member of the multiport valve in the water softener system a quarter turn. After fifteen seconds the solenoid valve is then deenergized, and the multiport valve remains in this first position for the desired interval, obtained by appropriate spacing of the next actuator 39, say, thirty minutes, until the next switch actuator 39 (at the bottom of FIG. 3) is carried up by counterclockwise rotation of the cycle control dial 38, as viewed in FIG. 3, again to effect closure of the operating switch 55 for the next fifteen-second period, to quarter rotate the rotary member of the multiport valve to the next and second position, with maintenance of this position until the circuit is broken at the operating switch 55 by the next switch actuator 39. This action is successively repeated twice thereafter further to quarter rotate the multiport valve member to each of third and fourth successive positions, at the fourth returning to the service position. The regeneration cycle is thus completed in the two-hour period of closure of the first circuit switch 34, and the water softener system stays in the service position during the following days or week, until the time switch mechanism of the present invention again dictates the regeneration cycle. By selecting any one or more of the other six manually adjustable switch actuators 11, one may select any one or more of the other days of the week for automatic repetition of this cyclic operation, and adjustment of the disk 16 on the face of the calendar dial 1t) permits selection of the desired hours of the selected day to be employed for this operation.

It Will be understood that the dial can be subdivided as desired into periods adapted for any time cycle, such as days, weeks, months or years, with an appropriate gearing of the timer. The dial need not, of course, correspond to the calendar or to the intervals of time conventionally employed, but will correspond to the period required for the equipment in connection with which it is employed.

It will be obvious that while the time switch mechanism of the present invention is particularly useful in automatically controlling a Water softener system of the type indicated, embodiments thereof may be advantageously employed for cyclic control of a variety of types of different systems such as air dryers, etc.

In the second embodiment, illustrated in FIGURES 4 to 9, the time switch mechanism includes a calendar clock having, for example, a calendar week dial 7t) driven by a pair of concentric time interval dials, an outer cycle control hour dial 72 and an inner cycle control day dial 73, driven by the timer mechanism 74.

The calendar week dial 70 carries a plurality, in this case six, pins 71 threadably insertable in any one of corresponding internally-threaded holes, to dictate step-bystep manipulation of the dial through certain pawl means hereinafter described. The pins extend below the dial a predetermined distance for engagement of additional pawl means 97 as will appear hereinafter.

The inner day dial 73 is provided with twelve internallythreacled holes 75, equally spaced about the circumferv once thereof and located at points spaced at two hour increments. Each of these internally-threaded holes may threadably receive therein an actuating pin 76 and an omitting pin 77, both having a threaded shank to fit it on the face of this dial. While a plurality of such pins may be provided for certain services, one of each is sufiicient for selective mount in any one of the internally-threaded holes for the service indicated above, to dictate actuation or non-actuation of the response apparatus to be initiated at any particular time identified with the internallythreaded hole in which the pin is mounted.

The outer cycle control hour dial 72, which is also driven from the timer mechanism, is provided with a central recess in which the inner day dial 73 is nested. The outer dial 72 is, say, divided into two minute increments, preferably having arranged about the circumference thereof increments of two hours or one hundred and twenty minutes. This dial adjustably carries a set of switch actuators 78 designed separately to actuate an operating switch 79, and a pawl actuator means 80, pivotally mounted upon the peripheral zone of the cycle control dial engaging the pins 71 for step-by-step actuation of the calendar week dial 70 when the pawl 80 is retained by the omitting pin 77, and for actuating a main switch 81 when the pawl is retained by the actuating pin 76. The pivoted pawl 80 has a hook 82 extending radially beyond the circumference of the outer dial 72 to engage, successively, each of the seven pins 71 of the week dial 70 when cocked for drag thereagainst by the omitting pin 77, in one complete rotation of dial 72. The pivoted pawl means carries a cam target 82 on its inner side which will swing radially inward over the edge of the inner dial 73 to permit the pawl hook to pass each dial arm 71 without engagement thereof. This radially inward swing is limited only when the omitting pin 77 carried by the dial 73 is positioned opposite thereto, to cock the pawl means so that its hook extends out to engagement of the adjacent pin 71 and, in passing, rotates the dial 70 one step, to represent the passing of one day.

The interconnection of the pawl 80, the pins 71 and the omitting pin 77 may best be seen by reference to FIG- URE 10, which shows the hook 82 engaging the pin 71 of the outer week dial 70 when cooked for drag thereagainst by the omitting pin 77.

In the vicinity of the pivotal mount of the pawl means to the outer cycle control dial 72 there is pivotally mounted to the back face thereof a trip means, in the form of a pivotally mounted and gravity biased arm 83, carrying a rearwardly extending lateral pin 84. The pin 84 is de signed to release certain latch means associated with the main switch 81. This arm 83 carries a cam 85 extending through a slot 86 in the side wall of the centrally dished portion of the outer dial 72 to be located adjacent the path of the shank of the actuating pin 76 on the inner dial.

At a fixed position on the back of the outer di-al 72 a reset pin 90 is mounted, which extends rearwardly to be rotated in the path of a reset device 91 for opening the main switch. Since the dial is driven by the timer mechanism which rotates the inner dial 70, this reset means is driven therewith.

The main switch 81 has a pair of contacts 92 and 93 with one 92 fixed and the other 93 carried by a spring arm 94 tending to close the switch and the circuit. A camming finger 95, preferably of insulating material, is rotatably supported on a transverse shaft 96, so that when rotated counterclockwise it will counterbias the spring arm 94 and hold the switch contacts separated in open circuit position. The front end of the transverse shaft 96 is fixed to a lever 97 which is spring biased for swing in a clockwise direction. Thus, clockwise movement of this lever closes the switch 81 by rotating the camming finger clockwise, releasing the switch spring arm M.

A latch means, which is associated with lever 97, is in the form of a pivoted arm 98 which is spring-biased for counterclockwise swing. The arm 98 carries a latching lug 99 turned laterally to extend into a stepped slot 100 in the lever 97. When the lever 97 is swung to its circuit open position, a lateral abutment 101 in the side of the slot engages over the lug, so that the armholds the lever in the circuit open position. The arm 98 also carries finger 102 extending in the path of the pin 84 of the trip arm 83 pivotally mounted upon the outer dial 72. Finger 102 is engaged by the pin 84 in each counterclockwise rotation of the dial, but only when the shank of the actuating pin 76 is in the position shown in FIG- URE 5, to force the pin 84 to drag against this finger, will the arm be swung clockwise to release the lug, and with it lever 97. At other times, the actuating pin 76 will pass the finger harmlessly, being free to pivot away from and past the finger during its counterclockwise rotation. When the pin 76 does drag the finger 102, arm 98 is moved clockwise, permitting lever 97 to move clockwise. It can do so only when finger 115 is not held against a pin 71, i.e., when there is no pin at that position of the calendar week dial 70.

Thus, the pins 71 of dial 70 function as lock means. The finger 115 in the latched position of the lever, is in the vicinity of the lower portion of the path of rotation of the ends of the pins '71. When the lever is in its latched position, the end of nearest pin 71 is located immediately behind the finger 115 of the lever, so that the lever may not be swung clockwise when unlatched by movement of arm 98. This locking device is disabled by removing any of the pins. The absence of this pin from behind the lock finger will permit the lever 97 to swing clockwise when released by trip of the latch arm, thus effecting closure of the switch 81. Thus, operation on any given day of the week is ensured by removal of the pin corresponding to that day on dial 7 0.

A switch opening and reset lever 106 for resetting lever 97 is pivotally mounted for free rotation upon the transverse shaft 96. This arm has a finger 107 extending into the path of rotation of the reset pin 90 which extends laterally from the back of the outer dial 72, and it pivotally carries a dog 108 having a forwardly-extending lug 109 adapted to engage beyond the nose 111 of the lever 97. A spring 110 biases the reset lever tothe left, so that the reset lug 109 is normally behind the nose 111, but when the reset pin 90 on the back of the dial swings this arm clockwise, the lug 109 swings beyond the nose, so that with spring return of the arm the lug pushes back against the nose to swing the lever 97 counterclockwise. This opens the switch 81, and resets the lever 97 with the lug 99 of arm 98 again caught in the abutment 101 of the slot 100.

The operating switch 79 is of the same type illustrated in FIGS. 2. and 3, and is preferably of the open circuit type, and for this purpose may be a microswitch having an operating button which when depressed effects circuit closure. As in the first embodiment, this switch carries an elongated spring arm which overlies the dcpressible button, so that when it is pushed inwardly, the button will be depressed, and the switch will be closed. The actuators 78, which are in the same form as are illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, have similar operating fingers which are dragged along the elongated spring arm in the counterclockwise rotation of the dial, so as successively to close the operating switch and maintain this closure for a short period, as is described above.

The energizing circuit into which the timer mechanism is connected will have the main switch and the operating switch connected in series. Thus, only while the main switch is closed will operation of the second circuit switch effect cyclic operation of the apparatus to which the time mechanism is connected. If this circuit is employed for the control of the multiport valve in a water softener system of the type described above, the set of actuators 78 which are mounted upon the cycle control dial are four in number to dictate the four steps of the cycle of operation of the valve. Each of the actuators is preferably made adjustable about the periphery of the cycle control dial in like manner for adjusting the time duration of each of the four steps of the cycle. As has been previously indicated, for such service the main circuit switch may be held closed for, say, a period of two hours and during this time, each of the set of four actuators successively closes the operating switch, opens it and again closes it, and maintains it closed for the next operation of the multiport valve, and so on as described above. The removal of one of the pins 71 dictates the day of the Week on which this regenerating cycle is conducted, and the selective location of the actuating pin 76 on the day dial 73 dictates the hour in which it is desired to have the regeneration cycle begun, and the time during which the cycle will be performed.

The drive shaft 120 of the timer mechanism carries a plate 121 which interengages with the day dial 73 in a plurality of positions, with the latter being spring biased to the former to maintain selective engagement therebetween. Thus, the dial 73, which represents the twentyfour hours in a day, may be adjustably set to the desired time by grasping the central knob 122, pulling out this dial against its spring biasing, and rotating it to bring the desired hour marked thereon to alignment with a start position on the dial. When the central knob is released the dial will be engaged with its driving plate, so that the timer will drive it properly. The hour selected for beginning of the cycle is adjusted by setting the actuating pin 76 in the proper hole thereof. One pin is inserted for each period of the twenty-four hour cycle that operation is desired. A pin 71 is set in each arm of the week dial 70 for the days that the main switch is to remain oif. For the day or days on which the cycle is to be performed, the pin or pins are omitted.

In setting the timer, this week wheel 7i) is rotated until the arm representing the particular day of the week on which the timer is being set is immediately behind the lock finger on the lever 97. The outer or cycle control dial 72 is rotated so that the pawl 80 is opposite the operating switch 79, and the figure 110 opposite the Time pointer on the dial 125. The inner or day dial 73 is then turned until the correct hour of the day is along side of the cam target 82 of the pawl 80. Current is then supplied to the timer.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A time switch mechanism comprising, in combination, a timer drive mechanism, a time interval actuator dial driven thereby, a main switch, main switch actuator means carried on said dial, switch-operating means for urging said switch toward operating position and to actuate said main switch in an operating position for a predetermined interval of movement of said dial, means holding said switch-operating means in non-operating position until released, trip means to release said holding means operable by said main switch actuator means on said time interval actuator dial, means driven with said time interval actuator dial to reset said switch-operating means to its non-operating position, a cycle control dial driven with the time interval dial, an operating cycle switch, a plurality of cycle switch actuators carried in arcuately spaced relations by said cycle control dial, each operable of said cycle switch to actuate said operating cycle switch at predetermined increments of the said time interval, and circuit connections connecting both switches in series whereby an energizing circuit including said switches in series will be cyclically operated by said plurality of cycle switch actuators during the period of actuation of the main switch.

2. A time switch mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which at least some of said cycle switch actuators are adjustable on said cycle control dial means to selected relative positions.

3. A time switch mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said time interval actuator dial carries at each of a plurality of arcuately spaced positions one of a set of main switch actuators each manipulatable between a nonactuating position and a position of actuation of said main switch.

4. A time switch mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said switch-operating means includes biased lever means for urging said switch toward operating position, latch means holding said lever means in retracted and biased position to maintain said main switch in nonactuating position until said lever means is released, trip means to release said latch means operable by said main switch actuator means, and means driven with said time interval actuator dial to reset said lever means to its retracted and biased position.

5. A time switch mechanism as defined in claim 4 in which said time interval actuator dial includes the cycle control dial driven by a clock mechanism one complete revolution in a predetermined period, and a ratched wheel driven by means carried on the time interval actuator dial, and carrying a plurality of lock means at positions of the increments of its revolution, each manipulatable to a position of engagement of said biased lever means to hold the latter in its retracted and latched position when said trip means releases said latch means with one of said lock means active, said lock means being selectively capable of being rendered inactive, to permit said latch means to release said biased lever means for closure of said main switch.

6. A time switch mechanism comprising, in combination, a timer drive mechanism, a time interval actuator dial driven thereby and rotatable one complete revolution in a predetermined time period, a main switch, a plurality of main switch actuators carried at each of a plurality of arcuately spaced positions on said time actuator dial, for replacement of the rotary position of one by the next succeeding actuator in a predetermined lesser time period, each of said main switch actuators in its actuating position operating said main switch for a prolonged time interval, and being manipulatable between a non-actuating position and a position of actuation of said main switch, a cycle control dial driven with the time interval actuator dial, an operating cycle switch, a plurality of operating cycle switch actuators carried in arcuately spaced relations by said cycle control dial, each operable of said cycle switch to actuate said operating cycle switch at predetermined increments of the said time interval, and circuit connections connecting both switches in series whereby an energizing circuit including said switches in series will be cyclically operated by said plurality of operating cycle switch actuators during the period of actuation of the main switch.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,794,103 5/1957 Moore et al 200-l53 2,922,853 1/1960 Truesdell et al. 20038 2,928,911 3/1960 Willard 20038 2,949,017 8/ 1960 Swanson 20038 KATHLEEN H. CLAFFY, Primary Examiner.

BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Examiner. 

1. A TIME SWITCH MECHANISM COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A TIMER DRIVE MECHANISM, A TIME INTERVAL ACTUATOR DIAL DRIVEN THEREBY, A MAIN SWITCH, MAIN SWITCH ACTUATOR MEANS CARRIED ON SAID DIAL, SWITCH-OPERATING MEANS FOR URING SAID SWITCH TOWARD OPERATING POSITION AND TO ACTUATE SAID MAIN SWITCH IN AN OPERATING POSITION FOR A PREDETERMINED INTERVAL OF MOVEMENT OF SAID DIAL, MEANS HOLDING SAID SWITCH-OPERATING MEANS IN NON-OPERATING POSITION UNTIL RELEASED, TRIP MEANS TO RELEASE SAID HOLDING MEANS OPERABLE BY SAID MAIN SWITCH ACTUATOR MEANS ON SAID TIME INTERVAL ACTUATOR DIAL, MEANS DRIVEN WITH SAID TIME INTERVAL ACTUATOR DIAL TO RESET AND SWITCH-OPERATING MEANS 